Free diagnostics tests at govt healthcare centres from Jan 1

New Delhi: The government is set to roll out the 'free diagnostics' scheme in the new year. The health ministry has written to all states asking them to start providing a basket of essential services for free to patients visiting public healthcare facilities.

The diagnostic services offered under the scheme would include blood and urine tests for chronic diseases like diabetes, for tropical diseases like malaria and dengue, HIV tests, as well as essential imaging and radiology services like X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound.

"It may not be possible for some states to make available all the services at once. We have asked them to at least start providing some of these services and then advanced services can be added in phases," a senior official said.

Along with the free drug distribution scheme, it is part of the National Health Assurance Mission, a flagship programme of the NDA government which has promised universal healthcare. Though NHAM promised a number of health services, the government so far has been able to notify only free drug scheme in 29 states, of which merely 12-15 states have started implementation.

Only in India the healthcare financing is very small when compared to the financing by the other forces rather than the patient himself or herself paying out of pocket. Having 70-75% of the expenses as out-of-pocket, in my opinion, is not a right approach to managing healthcare in a country where the patients tend to sub-optimally purchase healthcare if he/she has to pay out-of-pocket.